Olympus Pen E-PL5: Qualities of the OM-D E-M5

With the Pen E-PL5, Olympus updates its range of micro 4:3 compact hybrids with redesigned ergonomics, upgraded electronics, and especially with the integration of the same 16Mpix LiveMos sensor found in the OM-D E-M5. Will it show the same advances in image quality as the flagship camera of its line? Our tests provide the answer.

Announced at the same time as the E-PM2, with which it shares the same design and ergonomics, the Pen E-PL5 aims to be the worthy successor to the E-PL3, the flagship of Olympus’s mid-range micro 4:3 cameras.

With this new version, Olympus offers a nice upgrade. The compact hybrid’s new swivel touchscreen, although of only average resolution (460,000 points), gives it a real boost in autonomy. Along with speeds ranging from 200 to 25,600 ISO, the camera offers HDR mode, rapid burst shooting at 8 i/s, and 1080p video recording. A TruePic IV processor manages fast 35-point autofocus as well as 3D subject tracking.

Among the features of this “conservative” upgrade, we particularly note the use of the OM-D E-M5’s 16Mpix LiveMos sensor. During our tests, that high-end Olympic camera’s sensor achieved scores that approach those of its APS-C rivals, such as the Sony NEX cameras.

Further readings for the Olympus Pen E-PL5: Qualities of the OM-D E-M5

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With the Pen E-PL5, Olympus updates its range of micro 4:3 compact hybrids with redesigned ergonomics, upgraded electronics, and especially with the integration of the same 16Mpix LiveMos sensor found in the OM-D E-M5. Will it show the same advances in image quality as the flagship camera of its line? Our tests provide the answer.

Comments

incorrection

[quote]The comfortable lead that this Olympus micro 4:3 sensor enjoys in our test results with respect to the Nikon’s first-generation 1" sensor is very likely to be upset by [b]the new Nikon 20Mpix sensor used in its recently-announced V2 model[/b]".[/quote]

First replies for this comment

Re: Yay!

Isn't it obvious? You remove a piece of glass, you get more transmission and so you can now get, say, ISO 89 performance at ISO 100. Re-calibrate the sensor to be in line with the ISO standard, and voila, you get less noise.